In my nearly 50 years in the working world, project management skills are among the most—if not the most—universal skill sets individuals need throughout their careers, across all types of organizations. Whether managing small personal projects or leading complex organizational initiatives, Amberton University's Project Management programs can help you build the expertise to succeed. We encounter "projects" under many names in our personal and professional lives.
In fact, when I was a kid, my mother used to post a "jobs (aka projects) list" on the refrigerator. Whether we call it a job, a project, a program, an operation, an assignment, a campaign, or a play, it still carries all the characteristics of what we know as a project.
Formally, a project is defined as a unique venture with a beginning and an end, executed to meet one or more goals — or, stated differently, a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. A project could be anything: cleaning out my garage, raising funds for a church youth program, building a software program to optimize Amazon delivery routes, or planning academic course schedules. Whatever the project, there are key project management skills we all must apply. These include:
Skill Set #1: Define the End Objective
First, we must determine what we intend to accomplish. What's our end goal? For example, I REALLY need to clean out my garage! Initially, I thought the objective was simply to clean it out, but upon reflection, it’s also to reorganize the remaining contents. This expanded objective shifts the scope of work — and how I’ll define being “done.”Skill Set #2: Break Down the Work
Once the goal is clear, we identify the work required. Following the adage, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time," I broke it down:- Step 1: Clean out the garage contents.
- Step 2: Reorganize the remaining items.
Skill Set #3: Identify Required Resources
Next, I identify what resources I’ll need. Besides my time, I’ll probably need plastic tubs for storage (maybe 20 tubs at $5 each) and possibly rent a truck to haul donations to Goodwill. Planning for these needs upfront ensures a smoother project execution.Skill Set #4: Execute the Project
Now, it’s time to work. There are two ways to approach it:- Sequential Planning: Laying out a logical step-by-step schedule.
- Sprint Planning: Tackling the most valuable work areas first.
Skill Set #5: Plan for Change
Change always happens! I need to account for potential changes, like wanting to build a woodworking shop or buy a new 2025 Z06 Corvette. Both would radically change my current project plan. Flexibility is a critical part of project management.Skill Set #6: Determine When You’re “Done”
Finally, how will I know when the project is complete? It’s not just when the garage is cleaned and organized — it’s when everything is sorted correctly, packed into labeled tubs, neatly stored, and (bonus!) we can even park our cars inside again. That’s true project completion.Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this little episode, which was designed to convince you that everyone needs to develop basic project management skills. These project management skills help you successfully manage the many projects, jobs, programs, operations, and campaigns you’ll encounter personally and professionally throughout your life and career. If you're ready to strengthen your project management skills further, explore Amberton University's Project Management courses, designed for working adults like you. Enjoy the journey!
July is the Saturday of the calendar year. Someone had to say it. It’s a wonderful time for outdoor fun with your friends and family. It’s also tempting to let your motivation slip during the summer months.
At Amberton, you’ve reached the halfway point in your summer term courses in July. Don’t allow the summertime to distract you from the ultimate goal of graduating. Stay motivated, and protect your focus to unlock the future that you deserve.
1. Power through
Sometimes you have to buckle down and get things done. Summer courses might be one of those instances where you have to find the will to succeed. It’s Texas. It’s hot. You’re going to want to take a dip in the pool—go ahead! It doesn't matter where you're working from as long as you can remain productive during your dedicated study sessions. Don’t allow the weather to sap your mental strength or the summer fun to distract your resolve to finish strong.2. Stick to the schedule
Summer has a way of bringing out the unexpected. Plans go out the window and spontaneous moments seem to find you. Maintain your schedule and dedicated study sessions during your summer term courses. Don’t allow a schedule slip to turn into a habit of uncompleted tasks.3. Alter the routine
A schedule and a routine aren’t the same thing. If your routine is to study or do your homework in your home office or at the dining table, switch it up! Tweaking your routine can have a positive impact on your motivation. Research suggests changing your environment can give you a boost to complete your next audacious objective.4. Indulge in small summer pleasures
Never underestimate the power of an ice cream cone. Enjoying the small offerings of summer while completing your coursework keeps your motivation strong. So don't beat yourself up when it's time to treat yourself! Nontraditional students like you don’t have the luxury of taking summers off. It’s prudent to reach your graduation requirements sooner rather than later. The heat of summer doesn’t have to distract you from the goal or deplete your motivation. Remember this and you’ll stay on top of your game when you continue to work.One of the most invaluable skills you can have, both professionally and in your education, is time management. It’s a buzzword, sure—but mastering how to manage time as a working adult student is crucial for those returning to school.
The bottom line: college is different. As a non-traditional student, you’re used to juggling multiple roles. College professors will support you but won’t hold your hand like high school teachers might. If you’re taking multiple classes, don’t expect the syllabi to prevent papers, projects, and tests from overlapping. Then, of course, there’s the added challenge of balancing work and family responsibilities.
Know Yourself
Self-awareness is key to effective time management. As a non-traditional student, you benefit from maturity and a deeper understanding of how you operate best. Recognize your strengths and work with them. If you’re an early riser, schedule your classes and homework during those peak productivity hours to better manage time as a working adult student.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing your coursework. Everyone works differently, so determine what feels right and be flexible when necessary.
Prioritize and Focus on the Now
This sounds obvious, but it goes beyond determining the most important. You must also consider how quickly you can complete a task and whether it's better to spread it over several sessions. Due dates matter, but should you break up your work by task or time? That’s for you to decide based on your work style.
Don’t wait until you're overwhelmed to prioritize—start at the beginning of the course and adjust as needed. Remember to factor in everyday responsibilities and downtime as well.
Manage Stress
Letting stress overwhelm you will slow you down and reduce the quality of your work. Stay calm and keep your focus. This season of juggling work, school, and life responsibilities is temporary. While it might feel long and challenging, it will be over before you know it. Keep an even mindset; don’t let stress detract from the experience.
Avoid Multitasking
It's well known that multitasking often leads to poor results. So, avoid it. Keep work separate from school. Don't overlap family time with homework. Focus on one assignment at a time for one class. Constantly switching gears won't get you the results you're looking for.
Delegate When You Can
Being a non-traditional student doesn’t mean you have to do it all alone. Don’t hesitate to rely on friends, family, or coworkers for support. Delegating tasks isn’t about shirking responsibilities but building a support system that allows you to succeed by focusing on what’s most important.
Take Breaks
Pushing yourself to the brink won’t benefit you in the long run. Schedule time for yourself and take short breaks during study sessions. Even a 10-minute pause can help you refocus and recharge. Prioritizing your mental health is key to overall success.
Adjusting to college life as a non-traditional student will have its challenges, but it’s just that—an adjustment. Don’t overlook the changes in your life, and never underestimate the power of solid time management skills. You can succeed, and you will succeed.
Finals are tough. No one enjoys taking them. But they’re a necessary evil for every college student.
Studying for the big test is important -- of course, you know that. As finals approach it’s important to
maintain consistent study sessions.
When you’re getting those study juices flowing, remember these tips to maximize your time and
efforts.
1. Make a Schedule
You’re a working adult student. You’ve had to carve out time to go to class, write papers, create presentations, study for tests; making time specifically to study for a final is not anything new to you. Don’t overlook or take for granted the time needed to study for the biggest exam of the semester. What’s the best way to eat a whole elephant? One bite at a time. Think of your study sessions the same way. You’ll retain more information if you divide up the material into manageable chunks, and spread out the units over the number of days you have for studying.2. Find a Quiet Place to Concentrate
No matter what your study and homework sessions looked like throughout the semester, you have to devote your time to studying without distractions before finals. Generally, it’s the biggest portion of your grade for the class. Do you really want to risk anything less than your best because your little one chucked macaroni at you, or the line at Starbucks wrapped around your study table?3. Ask Questions
Your professors are here to help you learn, grow, and retain the information so you can apply it in your career. If you’re unsure about a topic, ask for clarification. Make sure you set yourself up to understand. Pro tip: if your professor provides you with study guides or a practice final, complete it! Mark it up. Write all over it. And take the practice test a couple of times.4. Cater to Your Learning Style and Preferences
By the time finals roll around you should be familiar with what works for you during your study sessions. Stick to that game plan. It’s not the time to deviate and try something new. Do what you do, and then knock it out of the park!5. Take a Break and Rest
This is a biggie. Don’t get so bogged down studying before finals week that you kill your energy and have nothing left in the tank. Have faith that you’ve prepared yourself throughout the course for this last moment. Study and do your thing, but then take time for yourself and relax. Finish the race strong! Finals week sounds daunting and demanding than it really is. It is rigorous, but you’re a working adult student. You’re a rockstar! When you’re walking out of your exam know that you’ve accomplished a lot in taking and completing the course. Savor the feeling and know you’re thriving in college.Simply skating through college and getting the work done isn’t anyone’s idea of a great college experience - traditional student or otherwise. If you just want to tread water and get a piece of paper in the end, maybe college isn’t for you.
As an adult learner, it’s safe to say you probably want to thrive and grow during the course of your college career.
It cannot be understated that adult learners have a leg up on students entering college straight out of high school. You have maturity, you have professional and life experience, and you have the skills needed to juggle it all.
When the road seems long and unending, remember: you were made to excel and to achieve much.
Keep in mind some of these basic tips:
Seek a Balance
Rest is an essential part of the human condition. Everyone needs it, everyone benefits from it. Seek and establish a balance between work, school, family and friends.
Don’t get sucked into the vortex of research papers, tests and studying. The better able you are to shift gears, the better you’ll feel and the more you will accomplish in each of your roles.
Be Prepared to Feel Overwhelmed
College is a season of character building. There’s a lot going in your life right now. Expect to have moments where it seems a bit too much. As odd as it might seem, be prepared to feel completely unprepared.
The trick is knowing that you’re not the only one feeling that way. Every single college student has felt that way on more than one occasion. Focus on the horizon and ignore the waves
around you.
Become an Expert on Course Requirements and Due Dates
Your professors will give you all the details you need to be successful for the semester. Memorize the syllabus. You’ll be saving yourself a lot of heartache if you know what you need to do to communicate you understand the material.
Knowing when you have papers due, presentations, and test dates seems like a no-brainer. And it probably is. That doesn’t mean it isn’t something you just might overlook.
However you choose to organize yourself and your calendar is unique to you. If you have to write it in a planner, that’s fantastic. If you have to send yourself faxes from the future, even better. Do not forget due dates and find yourself scrambling the night before.
Develop a Time Management System & Stay On Top of Assignments
When you’re keeping on track and making sure all your responsibilities are staying under control, you’re going to feel like you are thriving. Establishing a time management system will make your life as an adult student much easier and much more enjoyable.
Don’t allow yourself to be swamped by all the different things you have to maintain. Never put off what can be done today.
Get a Study Partner or Study Group
You don't need to make the trek solo to thrive in college. In each course, find a study partner or a small study group. You’ll develop lasting relationships with people that will benefit you (and them) in the present and the future. As a working adult, you understand the importance of networking and relying on others to help improve your own skills. Iron sharpens iron. Study groups make for a better student.
Thriving in college isn’t out of reach or a cheesy catchphrase. At Amberton, the faculty and staff want you to thrive during your time at the university.
Use all of Amberton’s student resources, lean on your fellow students and your family, and you will love every bit of your college experience.